Kerala High Court Reinstates Veterinary Students Amid Suicide Inquiry
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Kochi, Dec 5 (NationPress) The Kerala High Court on Thursday overturned the expulsion orders against college students accused in the suicide case of a second-year Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry student at the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences located in Pookode, Wayanad district. The court has mandated a fresh investigation into the matter.
The body of J.C. Sidharthan was discovered in the hostel toilet on February 18 this year, leading to allegations that he took his own life.
As the situation escalated, claims arose that he was subjected to ragging and faced harassment from both classmates and seniors. In total, 18 students were arrested, facing various disciplinary actions including expulsion.
A bench led by Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A. instructed the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University to carry out a new inquiry, requiring the university to provide the students with a memo of charges detailing the specific accusations against them, ensuring adherence to the principles of natural justice.
The court also allowed the implicated students to continue their education at the college while the new investigation is underway. The ruling stated, "Disposed of, quashing the impugned orders, all the three reports, to the extent it applies to the petitioners. The University is directed to conduct a fresh enquiry after furnishing a memo of charges to the petitioners, specifying individual allegations against each of them and providing them the gist of the statements from witnesses, requiring the petitioners to submit a written explanation. However, the identities of the witnesses should be kept confidential. The petitioners shall be re-admitted to the college, allowing them to continue their studies on campus pending the outcome of the enquiry. If any petitioners are found guilty, the time they have already served will be considered in their punishment. The enquiry is to be completed within four months," according to the court.
Currently, all accused students, who previously spent time in jail, have been released on bail.
